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This season is shaping up very nicely for Chelsea indeed.

On the domestic front, Enzo Maresca’s side managed to keep Arsenal within touching distance by holding them to a 1-1 draw on Sunday despite Moises Caicedo being sent off in the first half.

Then, in the Champions League, their thumping 3-0 win against Barcelona last week has stood them in good stead to qualify for the next round.

Moreover, and especially in that game, Estevao has started to really show what he is capable of, so fans should be excited about reports linking Chelsea to another star winger who has been compared to the Brazilian.

Chelsea target an Estevao-type winger

Even though there were pretty high expectations for Estevao coming into this season, few would have predicted him to have started as well as he has.

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For example, in the Premier League, he provided an assist on his first start against West Ham United and then scored the winner against Liverpool.

In the Champions League, he has been even better, racking up three goals in five appearances, of which only three have been starts.

So, with how well he has been performing, it’s less surprising to hear that the club are now interested in a player who has been compared to him: Harvey Barnes.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Chelsea are said to be incredibly keen on the Englishman.

In fact, the report goes further, revealing that the Blues have already submitted an offer of around €60m for the player, which is about £53m.

However, there are two problems: Manchester United have made the same offer, and the Toon do not want to sell.

It could therefore be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Barnes’ ability and output, one Chelsea should fight for, especially as he has been compared to Estevao.

How Barnes compares to Estevao

Now, while they are both wingers plying their trade for huge clubs in the toughest league in the world, fans might find it hard to see why Barnes would be comparable to Estevao.

After all, last season he didn’t do all that much for Newcastle, and so far this season the Brazilian has been a breath of fresh air for the Blues.

However, while he is not getting as much attention as he perhaps should, the English “menace,” as dubbed by journalist Mikey Stafford, has been on fire for the Toon this year.

For example, in 20 appearances across all competitions, totalling 996 minutes, he has scored seven goals and provided two assists, which comes out to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 2.22 games, or every 110.66 minutes.

Moreover, his close control and technical ability are far better than most think, as his sensational goal against Brentford demonstrates.

Finally, FBref also lists the Blues’ Brazilian gem as the eighth-most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the former Leicester City star in the Champions League this season.

The best way to understand how that conclusion was reached is to look at some of the underlying metrics where the pair ranks closely.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.73

0.70

Progressive Carries

5.17

5.59

Crosses into the Penalty Area

0.34

0.29

Shot-Creating Actions

3.44

3.79

Goals per Shot on Target

These include things like non-penalty expected goals plus assists, shot-creating actions, crosses into the penalty area, progressive carries and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, while they certainly have their differences, Barnes is showing shades of Estevao in his game this season and on top of that, has rediscovered his goalscoring ability.

Therefore, so long as the price does not get ridiculous, Chelsea should do what they can to sign him once the window opens.

Chelsea star who saved Caicedo is their "most underappreciated player"

The underrated Chelsea ace made sure Caicedo’s red card didn’t cost Enzo Maresca’s men against Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 30, 2025

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has admitted that he found it strange how Queens Park Rangers played the final moments of their historic game against Manchester City in May 2012, adding fuel to a longstanding conspiracy theory peddled by Wayne Rooney that Manchester United were done out of the title. Sergio Aguero's last-ditch winner famously secured the title for City instead.

Rooney questions QPR's approach

Rooney has always openly questioned whether QPR allowed City to win the game in question at the Etihad Stadium a little too easily. Roberto Mancini's team, who had hauled Manchester United back in during a rollercoaster title race up to that point, needed three points in their final match of the season to be sure of a first English league championship in 44 years. But QPR, who were fighting relegation, led 2-1 going into the final stages.

It meant that because United won their own fixture away at Sunderland, they finished their season as champions. But City were still playing and had enough time to turn things around, through Edin Dzeko and then Aguero. What has always rankled with Rooney is that QPR survived relegation, even in defeat, because of Bolton’s 1-1 draw with Stoke. He has implied that they may have already before the end of the game they were safe, although that has always been unclear.

"Paddy Kenny should have done better for a couple of the goals," Rooney said in 2022. "City get the second goal and QPR kick it straight back to them and that's never been questioned – I find that strange. Djibril Cisse celebrating after the game with the City players, but yeah listen it's a historic moment in the Premier League so I'm sure that, if you are not involved as a Manchester United player, that's probably one of the greatest moments in the league."

AdvertisementAFPDean adds weight to Rooney's claims

Speaking on, brought to you by , Mike Dean gave his opinion on what happened that day. He was the referee for the game and considered it odd the way QPR surrendered possession so easily after City had got back level at 2-2 through Dzeko's equaliser.

"[City] make it 2-2, and [QPR] just kick it back and give it to them. And we [the match officials] were like, 'What's going on, why are they giving the ball back straightaway?' I said [that] in the ear piece. To kick off and give the ball straight back to them. Neil Swarbrick, the fourth official, said, 'Keep switched on, something is going to happen.'

"You just knew something was going to happen. You could just tell. What was strange about it, once QPR found out they were safe, Jamie Mackie was on the pitch celebrating while the game was still going on."

Rooney was also appearing on the show and cheekily added: "They had loads of ex-City players in there as well," referencing Shaun Wright-Phillips, Nedum Onuoha and Joey Barton in the QPR side – Barton had earlier been sent off for violent conduct.

Cisse denies foul play

QPR and former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse was seen celebrating with City players afterwards, but recently denied that had anything to do with wanting the club to win the title over United. He told this year that it was only because close friend Samir Nasri was in the City team, combined with QPR's own survival.

"I was celebrating with Samir Nasri," he said. "I didn't celebrate with Mario Balotelli, Sergio Aguero or anybody else. I celebrated with my brother, Samir, who had been a friend of mine for 15 years.

"Manchester United lost the Premier League title because they dropped points throughout the season. It was nothing to do with me or QPR. What Rooney said isn't cool. He took out his frustrations on me. It's not my fault. If we had wanted Man City to win the league, would it not have been a little risky to have waited until the very last minute to let them score? We could have let them win 4–0 or 5–0 and gone home. But we played a strong team, the manager wanted to win that game. It wasn't our reserve team."

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AFPMan City still await Premier League charges verdict

Theoretically, United could still be retrospectively awarded the 2011-12 Premier League title. The season falls within the period of time for which City face at least 115 charges for alleged financial rule breaches between 2009 and 2018.

A verdict is still to be given on the case that has dragged on for years, with the long-awaited hearing concluding almost 12 months ago without any further updates. Nobody really knows what sanctions and punishments could be applied if City, who fiercely deny wrongdoing, are deemed guilty. But nothing, including titles being stripped, is off the table at this stage.

One of the most sought-after players in free agency this year did not play in MLB last year.

Twenty-three-year-old Roki Sasaki plied his trade in 2024 for the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball, winning 10 of 15 decisions with a 2.35 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 111 innings. These numbers have stateside executives salivating—and allow Sasaki to express considerable discretion in how his free agency plays out.

On Monday evening, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that Sasaki has a special request for the teams he's meeting with: he does not want them to bring any of their players to the meetings.

That tracks with Sasaki's unconventional approach to free agency, which agent Joel Wolfe said via Nightengale is driven by his desire to be great.

"‘He's a guy that wants to be great. He's not coming here just to be rich. He wants to be one of the greatest, ever," Wolfe said.

Per the rules governing player transfers between NPB and MLB, Sasaki is required to sign between Jan. 15 and 23 if he wants to play this season.

Worcestershire quarter-final prospects dented after falling well short in chase of 234

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay04-Jul-2025Superb scores in the 80s for third-wicket pair Will Luxton and James Wharton helped Yorkshire maintain their slim quarter-final hopes in the Vitality Blast with a dominant 41-run win over fellow strugglers Worcestershire Rapids at Headingley.Wharton, a T20 centurion against the Rapids here in 2023, top-scored with 88 in Yorkshire’s 233 for 6. He shared 134 inside 12 overs with Luxton, whose 81 represented a career best score. Both faced 47 balls.All seven bowlers used by Worcestershire captain Brett D’Oliveira went at nine or more runs an over before their night got worse. New Zealand overseas fast bowler Will O’Rourke struck twice in two balls twice en route to his his maiden five-wicket haul, 5 for 22, in a 192 all out reply.Yorkshire have now won three of nine North Group games, drawing level on 12 points with Worcestershire. They suffered their sixth defeat in nine, with D’Oliveira’s opening 56 off 33 unrewarded.Jonny Bairstow, opening for the first time in this season’s Blast, miscued the contest’s fourth ball from new-ball seamer Tom Taylor to mid-off, falling for 4. Yorkshire’s other big gun, Dawid Malan, followed for 8 at the start of the fifth over when he pulled Ben Allison’s seam out to deep square-leg with the score on 42.Luxton lofted Australian overseas quick Ben Dwarshuis over cover for the first of two early sixes and Wharton hit the left-armer for four fours to end the powerplay at 67 for 2.Four times in the previous three games at Headingley this season had sides topped 200.Luxton and Wharton ploughed on and brought up their century stand in the 13th over of the innings, Yorkshire 142 for 2. Both had just reached quickfire fifties, and the visitors will rue two Allison drops in the deep with Luxton on 9 and 74.Allison did remove him caught at deep cover shortly after the second drop before Wharton and Jordan Thompson – he hit three sixes in the last over in 22 off 8 – were run out at the death.The Rapids needed to posted their highest ever T20 total to win this game. England Under-19 opener Isaac Mohammed made a breezy start with 17. But when he miscued a slower ball from O’Rourke behind to Bairstow, it was 24 for 1 at the start of the third over.Worcestershire needed everything to go their way to have a chance of overhauling this target. And hardly anything did on a true pitch with a lightning outfield.Kashif Ali clothed O’Rourke’s second ball to mid-off before the big Kiwi took a stunning one-handed catch diving to his left at short third off Matt Milnes. At 37 for 3 in the fourth over, the visitors had a mountain to climb.D’Oliveira and Ethan Brookes at least helped them reach base camp with an 83-run stand, the former hitting a trio of sixes all around the ground. But just when hopes started to increase, with D’Oliveira reaching 50 off 33 balls, Brookes was lbw on the reverse against Jafer Chohan’s legspin – 120 for 4 in the 12th.And when D’Oliveira dragged O’Rourke out to deep midwicket in the next, at 132 for 5, it was game over.Dwarshuis clattered a consolatory 42 not out, but Milnes bowled a wicket maiden in the 17th and O’Rourke had both Matthew Waite and Taylor caught at deep midwicket and cover as Yorkshire’s win was secured.

Following Inter Miami’s 3-1 win over Nashville SC in Game 1 of the MLS Cup Playoffs, Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul – Messi’s longtime national team teammate – praised the captain’s influence and form. He added that Messi’s decision to remain with the Herons beyond this season has given the squad an extra spark heading into the postseason.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  'We just have to keep enjoying him'

  With Messi's future secured, Inter Miami now carry momentum – and confidence – and aim to make noise in the playoffs. De Paul underscored the importance of Messi’s contract renewal for the locker room’s morale.

  “Knowing we’ll be together for a few more years gives us extra motivation,” De Paul said. “We just have to keep enjoying him.”

  “It makes me really happy to see what he’s doing…There will never be another like him. Having him on my team every week is an advantage.”

Advertisement

• Messi overcomes back concerns

  Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano also praised Messi’s impact after his two-goal showing in the playoff opener against Nashville SC. While concerns arose over a possible back injury, Mascherano downplayed them, saying too much was made of Messi’s brief absence from training. Messi showed no signs of slowing down on the pitch, guiding Miami to a crucial home win that places them on the brink of advancing to the second round.

  “Everything that happens around Leo always takes on a bigger scale,” Mascherano said postmatch. “Sometimes there’s a lot of noise around him, so we preferred to protect him. At this stage of the season, less can be more – it’s about making sure he doesn’t take unnecessary risks and that any discomfort doesn’t get worse.”

• Getty Images Sport
  

  'It was already agreed'

  Mascherano also confirmed that Messi’s contract extension had been agreed upon for some time, even if it hadn’t been made official until recently.

  “The club and Leo decided to make it formal before the playoffs to focus fully on the sporting side,” he said. “We were calm, because even if it wasn’t announced, it was already agreed.”

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Slow start

  The coach acknowledged that Miami struggled early in the match, especially with their high pressing, but praised his team for adapting quickly.

  “It took us a bit to get our pressing right, but as the minutes went by, the boys adjusted really well,” he said. “In fact, the first goal comes from pressure, with Tadeo [Allende] winning the ball and allowing us to break quickly.”

Manchester United supporters have been starved of huge success for over a decade now, with no manager able to win the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Countless managers have tried and failed to replicate such feats, with Ruben Amorim the latest to try and end the decade-long drought for league glory.

However, it’s safe to say the 40-year-old has failed miserably at the task, as seen by his record of nine defeats in his last 15 top-flight matches in charge of the Red Devils.

The former Sporting CP boss arrived with huge expectations, but he’s failed to live up to them, with his recent slump on the field potentially spelling the end to his time at Old Trafford.

It would be a surprise to no one around the world that he could be replaced in the near future, potentially opening the door for one man to take the reins at the Theatre of Dreams.

The favourites for the Man Utd manager role

Over the last couple of days, former England boss Gareth Southgate has emerged as a potential candidate to take over as United manager should Amorim lose his job.

It’s been reported that the 55-year-old would be open to the role after previously being linked with the role on various occasions throughout his managerial career.

However, he’s not the only option currently in the hierarchy’s sights, with former Barcelona boss Xavi also under consideration, according to one outlet in Spain.

They claim that the Spaniard is emerging as one of the favourites to take over in Manchester, with the 45-year-old currently without a job after leaving Barcelona back in May 2024.

Despite the interest in his services, they may have to act quickly, with Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad also approaching him about taking over after Laurent Blanc was sacked.

Why United’s latest target would be their own Guardiola

Pep Guardiola has been a boss who has constantly proven his worth against United over recent years, often causing the Red Devils fanbase pain in the Manchester Derby.

In his 30 outings against the club, he’s won 63% of the matches – with his tally of 19 wins the fourth-most he’s achieved against any side in his managerial career to date.

His time at the Etihad has seen him win six Premier League titles since he took the reins back in the summer of 2016 – subsequently dominating England’s top-flight after his appointment.

There’s no doubt the fans of the Red Devils must wish they had themselves a manager of such a calibre, especially given the dismal levels they’ve had to endure over the last couple of seasons.

However, that could all be about to change with the potential appointment of Xavi in the near future, with the Spaniard possessing a very similar route to his compatriot in his managerial career.

Both starred at Barcelona as players before making the jump into management, with both going on to lead the Catalonian outfit in LaLiga and the Champions League.

Guardiola has made the move to England and succeeded, with Xavi having the chance to do the same if he does get offered the United job in the weeks ahead.

His stats during his time in charge of the Spanish giants are nothing short of remarkable, potentially having the quality to take the Red Devils back to their former glory.

The 45-year-old, who’s been labelled “incredible” by Guardiola himself, achieved a 70% win record for Barca, winning 71 of his 102 matches in charge of the club.

Games managed

102

Wins

71

Draws

16

Losses

15

Points gained

229

Points per game

2.3

Win percentage

70%

Goals scored

198

Goals against

87

He also achieved a staggering 2.3 points per game record, conceding just 87 times in the process – highlighting his ability to create a well-drilled and defensive outfit – something which the Red Devils have greatly lacked.

Xavi also managed to win the LaLiga title back in the 2022/23 campaign, potentially making him the perfect man to end United’s extended wait for a league triumph.

It remains unclear how long Amorim will be given to turn things around, but it’s evident that the 40-year-old is on borrowed time given the recent form in the Premier League.

However, there’s no denying that other options are being lined up by the board, with the former Barca boss potentially the perfect boss to fill the void at Old Trafford.

Arteta 2.0: Man Utd now targeting "best coach in the PL" & it's not Glasner

Manchester United appear to be targeting a manager who could replace Ruben Amorim.

ByEthan Lamb Sep 30, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

O plano do Botafogo para apresentar uma novidade no seu setor ofensivo nesta segunda-feira (31) foi frustrado. De acordo com o “ge”, o Alvinegro chegou a encaminhar acordo com João Pedro, do Fenerbahçe. No entanto, o Grêmio entrou na disputa e levou a melhor.

O jogador de 31 anos e o clube chegaram a entrar em acordo quanto a bases salariais e tempo de contrato. O atacante ficaria até o fim de 2024.

+ Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00. Bebida gelada nos 90′ de jogo do Líder!

+ Tchê Tchê elogia Gustavo Sauer, protagonista na vitória do Botafogo sobre o Coritiba: ‘Merecia essa resposta’

João Pedro chamou atenção da diretoria alvinegra por atuar como meia e centroavante. Ele seria um reserva para Eduardo e Tiquinho.

Revelado pelo Atlético-MG, o atleta rodou pelo exterior. No Santos, foi campeão da Recopa em 2012.

O Botafogo contratou até agora duas novidades. O meia Diego Hernández e o lateral Mateo Ponte chegaram ao clube. Ainda faltam um goleiro e um centroavante para esta janela.

Liverpool target Marc Guehi has been told he could join Real Madrid as the Crystal Palace captain prepares to discuss a free transfer away from Selhurst Park. The England defender was set to join Liverpool in the summer before a move collapsed. Instead of sulking, the 25-year-old has delivered his best football yet, spearheading Palace’s record-breaking run under Oliver Glasner.

Guehi central to Palace form

Palace are unrecognisable from the club that once clung to Premier League survival, flying under Glasner. Nineteen games unbeaten in all competitions, the longest run in their history, has brought silverware in both the FA Cup and Community Shield, and now a first taste of European glory. On Thursday, the Eagles marked their continental debut in style, swatting aside Dynamo Kyiv 2-0 away from home in the Conference League.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportHargreaves hails a 'dream' defender

Former England and Manchester United star Owen Hargreaves couldn’t contain his admiration for Guehi while analysing Palace’s latest European triumph on

"He’s a fabulous player but he’s probably even as nice a lad as he is a player," Hargreaves said. "The way he handled that situation, he could’ve thrown his toys out of the pram like some others players did, and got their move but he has been the ultimate professional. He knows he is the captain of the football club, they’ve helped him, and he will get his move probably at the end of the season and he could probably go anywhere…Real Madrid."

He added: "[Guehi is] a dream. On the ball he’s really good, he can defend really well. He’s only 25. He’s the oldest 25-year-old I’ve ever seen because he’s so level-headed. He’s so composed and so reliable."

Guehi puts summer transfer saga behind him

It’s Guehi's maturity, combined with his leadership at Selhurst Park, that has Europe’s elite circling. Liverpool may regret not closing the deal when they had the chance, with Real Madrid potentially ready to pounce when Guehi’s contract winds down. Guehi’s former Palace colleague Joel Ward added his voice, applauding the defender’s mindset.

"What happened in the summer is in the past," Ward said. "I think, for me, one of Marc's biggest strengths is the way in which he handles situations. He’s got such a great support network around him in his family."

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Getty Images SportPalace emerge as surprise package

Palace sit second in the Premier League table, the only unbeaten side left in the division. While Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City grab headlines, Glasner’s team have quietly become the story of the season. With Everton next up on Sunday, the Eagles are out to extend their streak and keep the pressure on the league’s big guns.

يعقد الدنماركي، ييس توروب، المدير الفني للنادي الأهلي، اليوم الجمعة، محاضرة فنية مع اللاعبين قبل انطلاق المران الجماعي للفريق، استعدادًا لمباراة إيجل نوار البوروندي.

ويستعد النادي الأهلي لمواجهة إيجل نوار غدًا السبت، في إطار منافسات ذهاب دور الـ 32 من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وسيتحدث ييس توروب، خلال المحاضرة، اليوم، بكافة الجوانب الفنية الخاصة بمباراة ايجل نوار في دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

طالع | الخطيب يوضح دور سيد عبد الحفيظ قبل انتخابات الأهلي: سيكون بديلًا لي

ومن المقرر أن يختتم فريق الأهلي، استعداداته لمباراة إيجل نوار اليوم، على استاد بوجامبروا الدولي، الذي تقام عليه المباراة.

وكان الأهلي قد خاض مرانه الأول في بوروندي أمس الخميس وشهد هطول الأمطار بغزارة شديدة مع دوي أصوات الرعد، وبدأ المران بفترة إعداد بدني قبل الانتقال إلى تنفيذ الجوانب الخططية والتدريبات التخصصية استعدادا للمباراة.

يذكر أن الأهلي يستضيف فريق إيجل نوار، السبت الموافق، 25 أكتوبر، بالقاهرة، في مباراة الإياب لمواجهات دور الـ32 من منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

Karim Adeyemi scored the winner in Borussia Dortmund's 1-0 victory against Wolfsburg, but it was his act of fair play that earned him public praise from referee Daniel Siebert. The official lauded the forward for stopping a clear attacking opportunity to allow an opponent to receive treatment, calling it a rare moment of sportsmanship in professional football.

Adeyemi hailed for his act of fair play

Referee Siebert has singled out Dortmund's Adeyemi for special praise following a significant act of sportsmanship in his side's 1-0 Bundesliga win over Wolfsburg. Adeyemi, who also scored the game's only goal, was lauded for halting a promising attack after an opponent went down injured.

AdvertisementAFPAdeyemi grabs headlines in more ways than one

Adeyemi was the decisive figure at Signal Iduna Park on Sunday, scoring a powerful strike in the 20th minute to secure all three points for his team in a tightly contested match. However, it was an off-the-ball incident in the first half that drew acclaim. The German international gained possession on the right wing but chose to kick the ball out of play after Wolfsburg's Patrick Wimmer sustained an injury, sacrificing a clear attacking opportunity for his side.

'Not common in professional football' – What Siebert said

Speaking to after the match, referee Siebert highlighted the rarity of the gesture and explained the situation. 

"I'd like to take advantage of this opportunity because it's not common in professional football to have such a great fair play move," Siebert said. "Normally, as a player, you could have taken advantage of the opportunity and run towards the goal – and then you would have had a numerical advantage. But he realized why he had won the ball, voluntarily kicked it out of bounds, and said he didn't want to profit from his opponent's injury."

Siebert confirmed the action would be positively mentioned in his official report, adding: "I think that's great. We'll definitely note and praise it in the report. We'd love to see more of this, dear professionals!"

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The bigger picture for Dortmund

The victory was crucial for Dortmund, who controlled the match with 56 per cent possession and registered four shots on target to Wolfsburg's zero. The result keeps Edin Terzic's side in second place in the Bundesliga table with 10 points, ensuring they remain unbeaten after four matches and stay just two points behind league leaders Bayern Munich. The defeat leaves Wolfsburg in 12th position.